Plant-ball package



April 23, 1929.

J. T. LOVETT, JR

PLANT BALL PACKAGE Filed Jan. 27. 1928 Patented Apr, 23, Th2.

JOHN THOMPSQN LOVETT, JR, 013

LITTLE srnvna, new annsnri rLAnr-BaLn PACKAGE.

I .A pplication filed January 27, 1928. Serial No. 249,974.

This invention has reference to potted plants. j

Among the objects of this invention is the provision of an improved means to facilitate the safe and convenient handling and transportationof a plant.

Another object of this invention is to produce a device of the character described, in which the so-called ball of a plant, comprising the roots thereof and the therewith associated earth mass, is enclosed in a light, inexpensive container, which is later discarded.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the type set forth, including a temporary container to receive the ball of the plant, and likewise an extra quantity of:

earth or humus sufiicient to meet all requirements when the plant is later transferred to the open ground or pot.

A still further object of the invention is to furnish a container for the purposespecified, which possesses strength and water-proof quality. a

Still another object of the invention is the production of a device of the class described, in which a mould or E's-enforcement is rovided for the container to permit the cart or humus/to be tamped thereinto with a moderate degree of pressure and which re-enforce ment is then removed, and the container closed for the purpose set forth.

Other objects will in part be evident, and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention. accordingly; consists in the arrangement and combination of parts as shown, and the scope thereof will be indicated in the following claims.

In the'drawings,

Figure l at perspective view of a container, employed in my invention.

2 is a similar view of position.

Fig. '3 is a lan View showing the container in course of being filled, and the mould surrounding the same.

Fig. 4 is a plan view looking at side of the container, with the mould removed, and showing an embodiment of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 10 denotes a device embodying the invention. The same includes a plant 11 having the roots 1:2 and associated earth mass 13 enclosed within a container 1%. The latter may consist of any light strong material, and which is preferably a mould in open water-proof. Accordingly, the plant can be handled with safety and convenience, and easily transported. A sufficient quantity of moisture may be in the earth 13 to keep the plant alive for a considerable period of time. Owing to the water-proof quality oft-he container, the water will not weaken or disinte grate the same, while evaporation of the water will be decreased. The container 1% may be of ample size to permit all the earth or humus ordinarily required for the plant 11 to be shipped along with the plant, so that when the latter is transferred to the open ground or pot, according to the usual practise, sufficient earth may be directly available. On the other hand, the container, owing to its light construction adds practically nothing to the weight of the device.

Preferably, the said-container may consist of a fairly tough fibrous material, as, for

example, paper. This may be impregnated with asp'haltum, tar, paraifin, or the like. The container may be of box form, having-sides 15', ends 16', a bottom 17, and an open top '18, adapted to be closed by a cover 19. The saidcover may be formed with flaps 20 and 20, so over which an adhesive strip 21 may be pasted to securely close the container. In one-end of the container a cut out 22 is made to receive the stem of the plant 11 as will be hereinafter described. 1

A mould or X's-enforcement 23, which may be made of wood, or metal is provided to temporarily enclose the container 14 around the sides and ends of the same. The said mould may be of portable construction as shown, and 9@ comprises side portionsQt, 25 and end portions 26, 27 corresponding to the respective sides and ends of the container 14. The end 527 is formed with an opening 28 to register with the similar opening 22 in the container. The several portions of the mould are hingedly connected together at 29, and a hook 30 engaging in an eye member 31, make the mould an effective re-enforcement for the said container. i

The manner of use of the invention will now" be clearly apparent. With the container 1% positioned in the mould 23, a plant 11 is placed with its roots in the said container andits stem. 32 projecting through the cornmunicatm ing end openings 22 and 28. A quantity of earth or humus is then added into the container and tamped down. Thereafter the lull i v v hook 30 is released, and the mould removed.

Thecover 19 is then closed and sealed, after which the device is read; for shipment.

i i, It is seen that I have provided a device that fulfills the several objects of the invention and is well adapted to meet the conditionsof practical use, being inexpensive and eificient.

' I claim:

1. A plant ball package of the character described, including a container made of a single piece of pliable material of a waterproof nature, said container having end and side walls, one of the side walls being hinged to constitute a flap which ca-n 'be opened to form-a side opening in the container, through which" opening the ball of a plant can be I placed into thecontainer an end wall of the container being slotted to receive the stem of the plant, the said fiaphaving a projecting end portion to take over the slotted end-wall of. the container in the closed position of the flap to retain the stem in central position the container.

2. A plant balllpackage of the nature set forth, comprising a container made of a light, pliable, waterproof material, said container having a bottom, end and side walls, said container haviiig an open top, and a hingedly mounted cover for said open top, one of the end walls having an opening for the stem of a plant, the hall of which is received iii-the container, and the cover being sealed to the container in closed position.

3. A plant ball package of the type set forth, including a container of pliable material of a waterproof nature; said container being substantiall rectangular in form, and i tion to take over the slotted end wall up to the stem of the plant and retain the stem in central position in the container.-

4. .A plant ball package ofthe character described, including an elongated container of pliable waterproof material to receive the ball of a plant, said container having a wall hingedly mounted to form a flap extending lengthwise of the container for opening or closing the same, said con ainer having a slot at an end thereof to receive the stem of the plant coincident with the insertion of the ball of the plant into the containerthrough the fl p p g 4 hereof I afix my signature.

In testimony w JOHN TrrpMPso -Lovar'r, JR. 

